I’ve known and looked up to a special friend for many years. She’s a ministry leader and also the wife of a ministry leader. My admiration runs deep not because of the global ministry she helps to lead but because of the profound and sacrificial love that she, along with her husband, have lavished on their children, particularly a (former) prodigal son.
“[My son] took us on a 12-year journey into this world of prodigaldom,” she writes. “He was the founder of World Wide Day of Prayer for Prodigals [a ministry my friend launched], though he didn’t know it at the time.
“This day of prayer began as a day to pray for [him]. He has come a long way and is making many good choices now. But Satan always lurks, hoping to trip him up, draw him back, recapture him.”
The prodigal son we find in Scripture said callously to his father, “‘I want my share of your estate now before you die” (Luke 15:12). And then, after receiving his inheritance early, he “packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living” (Luke 15:13).
The prodigal son was disrespectful, selfish, and irresponsible. It wasn’t until he lost everything that he decided to return home and confess his sins to his father who welcomed him with open arms (Luke 15:20-21).
“It’s hard to keep loving sometimes, isn’t it?” asks my friend. “But you don’t give up, because you do love that wayward one. Which of course we learned from our God, who keeps on loving, keeps on believing, keeps on forgiving . . . never gives up on us.”
Praise God for His love for all of us . . . even the prodigals. He patiently calls to them, “Come back to life!” (Luke 15:32).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Jude 1:17-25
More:
What does Isaiah 49:15-16 reveal about a mother’s love and God’s love?
Next:
What prodigal can you pray for and reach out to today? How does God’s love for prodigals fill your heart with hope?
johnerik on December 28, 2015 at 7:18 am
Thank you God. Amen
Gary Shultz on December 28, 2015 at 7:30 am
It almost seems the norm today as many young and maybe some older people drop out of a state of responsibility. I think you speak to many who pray for that wayward person waiting for them to return to a life of function. I am encouraged that God does love them and He knows exactly where they are and exactly what is needed. There are not many stronger images as when the Father ran to the son in the biblical account. May we stay faithful to uphold them. Thank you Roxanne, may the New Year bring you blessings.
gary1schelvan on December 28, 2015 at 10:14 am
This posting is so dear to my heart, as I have a son, my 2nd son now 31 years old, who has been the consumate prodigal son since he turned 13 years old. I am divorced from his mother, and don’t have any real contact with him, which at this point in time is really all up to his doing. I pray for him, most of all to in some way come to a meaningful and committed relationship with Jesus Christ. His name is Brandon Patrick Schelvan, and any prayers you could offer up on his behalf would be so appreciated.
All the best to all of the ODJ family in the NEW YEAR ahead…Onward & Upward for our Lord & Savior in 2016, let us be a light in this world.
gagirllive on December 28, 2015 at 11:08 am
I prayed for your son Brandon this morning when I read your post. I have a prodigal too. I have determined to be a prisoner of hope as I wait on the Lord for my son. I pray that God will keep your faith strong and your heart hopeful this coming new year. I believe our day of rejoicing will come!
jim spillane on December 28, 2015 at 11:11 am
gary1schelvan – your prayer request touched my heart and I was more than willing to fulfill your prayer request. Be patient as our Heavenly Father works things out for your good in His own timeframe.
elegantstarr on December 28, 2015 at 1:38 pm
Mr. Schelvan I prayed for your son as soon as I read your post. God answers prayers! May the Lord bless and keep you, Brandon and the rest of your family.
Regina Franklin on December 28, 2015 at 3:28 pm
Praying for your son, Brandon–that the heart of Christ will be more visible than any other relationship in his life and that he will experience a Damascus Road encounter with the One who has never given up on him.
sandy229 on December 28, 2015 at 9:55 pm
Yes I will continue to pray for him, as I just now prayed that God would lift him up in His loving arms and shower blessings upon both him and you, and I also prayed for whatever needs he has , they will be met. I will continue to uphold him in prayer.
Roxanne Robbins on December 28, 2015 at 11:45 am
Judy Douglas (the friend I refer to in the above post) launched “The Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.” Please keep this date, June 2, in mind, and as the time draws near Google the event to add your child to the confidential prayer list, if you’d like.
Following is from Judy and includes ways you might want to cover your child(ren) in prayer:
“It’s June 2. The Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.
I will be praying along with hundreds/thousands virtually, and with a small group at my home, asking God to return, rescue, redeem, restore the prodigals we love. We are hoping and believing that this is the Time God speaks of: “I am the Lord. In its time I will do this swiftly.” (Isaiah 60:22b)
There are at least 2000 names on the list we will be praying for. Some are in desperate places, others wandering a bit, some confused. I will pray for every one of them. As will many others.
But of course I will focus on prayer for my son, Josh, who “founded” this prayer day because of his great need to be returned, rescued, redeemed, restored. He’s had an up-and-down journey over the years we have prayed, and is in a better place right now. But still in need of prayer. I tell him this is his day, and that people all over the world will be praying for him. How can he resist a full surrender to the Lord?
The following blessings are my prayers for him today. You are welcome to pray them for a prodigal you love as well.
Prayers for My Prodigal
Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals
June 2, 2013
May the eyes of your heart be enlightened that you truly know Him.
May you know that you have been rescued from darkness and brought into the light of the Son.
May you know your sins are forgiven.
May you experience always the assurance that you have been adopted into the family of God and nothing can ever separate you from His love.
May you be filled with the Spirit and thus walk in love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.
May you be rooted and grounded in love and have the power to grasp how great God’s love for you is.
May God comfort you in the pains and losses of your life.
May you hunger and thirst for Him and His righteousness.
May you be satisfied by God alone as He fills you with His Spirit.
May you know and choose the good plans God has for you.
May you fan into flame the gift of God in you.
May truth be your standard.
May God do in and through you immeasurably more than you can ask or think.
May God pour out blessing on you and through you every day of your life.”
elegantstarr on December 28, 2015 at 1:44 pm
The Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals is a wonderful idea! Kudos to Judy Douglas for launching it! Thank you for sharing this information Roxanne. Blessings to all on the forum.
Mike Wittmer on December 28, 2015 at 12:00 pm
This is an important post. Most families seem to have a prodigal, who for no apparent reason resists the love of Jesus and his or her parents and must learn everything the hard way. May God bless such parents with the words of the Bishop Ambrose to the distressed mother of the youthful prodigal, Augustine: “It is not possible for the son of these tears to perish.”
sandy229 on December 28, 2015 at 10:00 pm
Well, someone prayed for me, I was in the wilderness for 40 years, and my Father and Mother I’m sure prayed for me during that time, but after my Mother went to be with the Lord in 93, my Dad continued to pray for me, and when he remarried in 98, my step mother prayed for me as well, and when my Father went to be with the Lord in 2002, my step Mom kept praying for me, and in 2013, I rededicated my life to God, and gave Him all of me instead of part of me. The part of me I couldn’t let go of, I was able to let go and finally was willing to be all that God wanted me to be. I am praying for my oldest son that he will return to God. His name is Jeremiah Daniel. If anyone will pray for him, I would really appreciate it.